Because of Hormones Chapter 14: The End?, a bleach fanfic

As requested there is a little less conversation, a little more action yes indeed.

All this aggravation ain't satisfying you.

A little more bite a little less bark.

A little less fight a little more spark,

Oh Pippin write some crack and satisfy me!

…

Even I don't know anymore…

Karin's POV

I love Ichigo.

I really do, he's a great older brother, loving, caring and protective.

Over protective actually.

It was cute for a while, helped me feel better when I started to develop and chest and men started to develop an interest but after 10 years you get slightly tired of it.

I love Ichigo but I have a big enough heart to love Toushiro (and from the way he pretty much leaped at me I think the feeling was mutual) as well.

A lot.

Not anymore or any less because love and family should really sit hand in hand…however that never applied when your brother was clinically insane…

The word 'hypocrite' springs to mind when looking at Ichigo. He's so damn adamant that I shouldn't be having this relationship, it's probably illegal for one thing and Toushiro is a captain, a captain my brother has suddenly developed something against but honestly…

He and Rukia laughed in the face of soul society laws and skipped merrily down the road to exile, giggling whilst they did it.

Well okay – they won't touch Ichigo since he's pretty much god and everyone knows those who mess with Rukia deal with her older brother…who I'd yet to meet but heard he was quite interesting…

He had a pink sword.

I digress…

So when Ichigo came darting faster than the speed of light over the nearest row of buildings something quite akin to fury began to grow and combust within me. (That and it kinda hurt when the wall fell down…not that I was complaining…I'd lie in the rubble all day if I could kiss Toushiro again…I digress once more)

Ichigo and I needed to have a chat about his stalker tendencies. It was getting to ridiculous levels, I suppose he was just trying to be a good older brother and in his defence Toushiro was a bit of a wild card but hey – it was my dream kiss sequence and he just had to ruin it didn't he?

So when my beloved older brother pulled the startled Toushiro off my extremely peeved off form I clenched the largest piece of rubble I could tightly in my palm and smashed it rather satisfyingly off the side of his head.

To say Hitsugaya looked terrified when the Shinigami didn't get back up again would be the understatement of the century.

Because of Hormones
Chapter 14:
The End?

I don't miss the raised eyebrows and unsubtle nudges around me as I peck the surprised Toushiro on the lips the next morning before work (mine and his…apparently I still had a job which was rather surprising) he couldn't stop the colour flooding to his cheeks and I most certainly didn't miss the way his eyes darted toward my stoic brother.

He had taken to pretending that I was just some random person living in his home and Toushiro was just a figment of his imagination but hey – he wasn't stalking me anymore!

(The bruises on his ego might have put him off and the very real ones on his face…)

"K-Karin" I find it adorable that he gets flustered so easily about simple gestures of affection. It's like a sick game I've become addicted to; see how embarrassed I can make him. The results are always entertaining and the winner is always me. Mostly because Toushiro isn't fully utilising his sex-god powers but I'd better enjoy that whilst it lasts…

Urahara's been giving him ideas.

"I'll see you after work" I breathe, huskily to see his eyes glaze over slightly, the way it always does when his imagination abruptly seizes control.

"Get a room!" Matsumoto hollers. The others (minus Ichigo who was pretending to be watching the television…even though it was switched off) laughing gleefully at the frequently used one liner.

"Who says we haven't already got one?" I purr, wrapping my arms around my captain, enjoying the way my brother began to choke on thin air and Renji satisfyingly began to smack his head off a wall, screaming about 'impure thoughts'

And with that cryptic comment I flounced out the room, head held high, trade mark victory smirk planted firmly on my face.

Toushiro hadn't moved an inch, only jerking back into reality when I slammed the door, an odd mix of happiness, confusion and 'wait-that-was-it' written on his face.

Hah. Who wears the pants in this relationship? Moi.

I tried not to constantly radiate the smug aura when walking to and arriving at work but it was damn hard to keep the grin off my face, I was acting like a giddy school girl who'd just got asked to prom! I'd be embarrassed if I had room next to my joy.

"Jeeze Karin" muttered one of my more sociable work mates, sticking a chewed pen behind her ear and laughing quietly as I hummed to myself, signing in and throwing the old familiar white coat round my shoulders "Won the lottery?"

"Something like that" I replied, laughing at her bewildered face as I picked up my appointment sheet for the day. Faltering slightly when I spotted the first name, I shook my head, and read it again. It was a mistake. It had to be.

But there it was, plain as day in the first slot.

Kuchiki Byakuya – 9:30

I resisted the urge to swallow even though my throat had become unbelievably dry within the last few seconds.

So this was Rukia's older brother, a captain from what the others had said…

Either he really didn't trust Urahara with medical tools or needed to talk to me.

Where there were no witnesses.

At least any witnesses that could interfere anyway…

I didn't hesitate, clipping my name badge to my left top pocket I strode smartly out into the waiting area, a bitter smile on my face as I immediately spotted him in the crowded waiting room.

"Kuchiki Byakuya" I called, his eyes snapped to mine and I allowed my faint smile to grow into a sadistic grin, he should know better than to meddle with a Kurosaki, really "sir, it's time for your prostate exam"

The look on his face was truly priceless.

I decided I liked Byakuya, in all his cold and self assured glory, and I had a niggling sensation he somewhat tolerated my existence as well.

We were both able to bond over the common loathing of Ichigo. He couldn't stand him because he was a protective older brother to (though I didn't see him lurking on rooftops) and I hated him because I shared genes with him. (In a loving way…)

So we took part in a staring match, his cold and still slightly mortified gaze locking onto mine, picking apart my hot headed anger faster than any councillor could have dreamed.

We couldn't work the other out. So we enjoyed the puzzle for the time being, he sipped the tea I'd made for him with the quiet grace of a noble, I spun my spoon wildly around my cup, the clinking and splashing sound making him twitch slightly in irritation, almost uttering a complaint when I reached for more sugar.

"I assume you know why I'm here" he finally muttered, his voice was as blunt and forward as his appearance, I pretended to be interested in the report I was currently looking at on my desk. Not giving anything away in this little game we were currently playing.

"I've known from day one" I responded, taking a noisy slurp from my cup like the Kurosaki I was, I could feel his stare on the back of my neck, burning a hole right into my skull. With a brief sigh of irritation I pulled my shirt collar back, the top of the snaking number barely peeking out from underneath my clothing.

He feigned nonchalance, as if the scar didn't mean anything at all but I didn't miss the slight widening of his eyes, the way he gripped the cup a little tighter than necessary.

"No matter what she did it never budged" the bitter, loathing edge to my tone was evident. He knew immediately what I was talking about.

"You realise" he breezed, as if discussing swallow migration "having that anywhere on your body will gain you no points with soul society" I internally thanked him for not sweetening the facts. Fixing my shirt to cover the burn not even Yuzu knew I had, the very feel of it made me want to scream and tear at my skin…

Orihime had tried her hardest, everything else had healed, the other scars would fade with time, only remain as temporary reminders but the real problem had stubbornly remained. She'd laboured over it for well over 2 hours before she had to give in. She'd tried to be nice about it, she'd even said we would be able to have another go in a couple of months but I knew the truth.

I was stuck with it.

"I know" he nodded, approving my honesty.

We sunk back into a lull. Neither of us were social butterflies, he drank his tea and I scrawled on the paper, tapping the table with my pen when the right phrase refused to come.

"You've used the incorrect there. It's their belongings not there" he muttered, I bit back my insult that it really didn't matter if the grammar was bad when the guy would be having a heart transplant, I doubt that would be the main worry of any surgeon.

"If you are trying to intimidate me-" he held up a hand, meant to peaceful but putting out aggression. I didn't flinch.

"I am well aware that you have no intention of harming soul society, Kurosaki" I was rather surprised by the sudden announcement but he ploughed on before I could comment "however Yamamoto is cautious. It is how he has lived for so long, that mark is enough to make you suspicious even without your…abilities. He just wants a chance to meet you"

Oh yes. Then he'll offer me a division, pass me a captain's haori and hug Aizen.

"You can't touch me." It was not a question. Nor a threat. It was simply a statement of fact. He closed his eyes and sighed so softly you would have barely noticed, if you weren't a keen analyser that was.

"Yes" he went on without opening his eyes yet somehow managing to still drink his tea without spilling it "we have no jurisdiction over the living" Tell that to my brother.

"Then why are you still here?" if he was irritated by my arrogance then he didn't show it, instead he allowed a small smirk of sadistic pleasure to grace his lips, placing the cup onto the mat and crossing his hands in front of him, leaning on the bridge they created.

"Waiting for you to die"

I tried not to let his words bother me but I was so easily drawn in by the complete confidence he'd had when he had spoken. As if he knew what was going to happen, I knew, obviously, that at some point I would kick the bucket as well (Hopefully in the distant future) but the way he'd said it.

It was almost as if he was expecting my death quickly. Liked I'd just willingly throw myself in front of a bus…

I tried not to think about it as I slipped into the house quietly, so as not to be noticed, emotionally and physically worn out I trudged up the stairs, noticing with mild amusement that Toushiro had left his phone on the stairway.

Grabbing it I flick the device open, just in case something important had happened.

"You have five thousand four hundred and twenty one unread messages" the automated voice buzzed, with a horrified grimace I flicked it shut again. Let him deal with that when came home…

If Ichigo let him in the house…

"Karin?" Speak of the devil.

With an exasperated sigh I turned to face my brother, he looked uncomfortable, really uncomfortable. The sort of mix between horror and pain he'd get if Grimmjow proposed to him. Yeah he looked that ill.

"Yes Ichi-nii?" I bit out, suddenly very interested in the nails on my hands…aw dang it my varnish was chipping.

"I…well…Karin being an older brother…Mum never would have…Toushiro is…I erm…Being a Shinigami…" he finally ground to a painful halt, scratching the non-damaged side of his head, a bead of sweat steadily forming as he struggled for words, chuckling nervously as I sighed.

"Don't give yourself a hernia Ichi-nii" he smiled weakly and I prodded him on the largest bruise I could find, making him yelp as I pushed harder "I can take care of myself, so give us all a break and stop being such an old woman" I let go, he opened his mouth to yell the house down, spotted the heavy pot plant my hand was slowly edging towards and thought better of it.

"No more street kissing…" he whimpered in defeat, slouching into himself and sighing miserably. I gave him an awkward half hug, trying not to dent another part of his body, he ruffled my hair and gave another heavy sigh, muttering under his breath as he turned to go back to his 'lair'.

I headed for my room once again when the doorbell went. Grumbling I marched downstairs and threw the door open.

"Yes!" I barked, a bit more aggressively than I had meant to. I flinched slightly when two police officers turned to face me, trying not to just impale myself with the door right then and there.

"We're looking for Kurosaki Karin" one of them began, I raised an eyebrow, I could hear the others peering round the door behind me, luckily they were all in Shinigami mode so the officer wouldn't think I was running some sort of religious cult…

"Speaking"

"Miss Kurosaki you are hereby under arrest for the kidnap and murder of one James Grimm-"

"WHAT!" I screeched, shattering a few windows I'm sure. The younger one went on as if I hadn't spoken.

"You have the right to remain silent anything you say or do can and will be used against you in court" and then without warning the other one pulled me out the house, clamping handcuffs onto my wrist and marching me to the waiting squad car.

I wasn't even wearing shoes…

"I didn't kill him!" I yelped. A confused Yuzu and a furious Ichigo dashed out the house, I shot him a glare that said 'do anything and you will wish you were fighting grimmjow' the last thing we needed was more Kurosaki's in jail…

"Let her go!" Yuzu suddenly screamed and to everyone's shock, tackled one of the guards to the ground, a half cooked dinner splattering the ground around us.

To in awe to move I watched as my sister landed a very nice right hook, a horrifying crunch echoing round the suddenly rather busy streets. The officer shoved her off, holding his bloody broken nose, groaning in pain.

"Yu-Yuzu…" she smiled weakly, her hand shaking and swelling slightly, her breathing ragged as the man got up again. Ichigo, suddenly wide awake again, grabbed the still furious girl and placed her behind him, daring the officer to try him instead.

Unfortunately the younger one seemed to have a better grip on things and just continued to drag me to the car, opening the door and pretty much flinging me inside.

Once he'd turned to yell at Ichigo I shook my arm, Toushiro's phone dropping out the sleeve of my shirt.

"Stupid James" I grumbled "even when he's dead he's a pain" I glared at the ring around my neck then at the police officers making their way to the car "oh I bet he's wetting himself with laughter…"

I tapped my foot on the bottom of the car, whistling innocently and staring out the window, smirking slightly when one of the cops twitched slightly in irritation, the other still trying to stem the blood flow from his nose.

How on earth had these guys managed to find out James was dead?! We had the body in Urahara's basement!

I glared out the window, running my hand over the concealed phone. I was only going to use it if something went insanely bad…

"Erm guys" I mumbled as we drove past the turn off to the police station. The driver, rather than do the old 'I know what I'm doing, no backseat driving' routine, sped up. I felt a spark of fear ignite in my stomach but forced it down, a 'plan' forming in my head. "You guys aren't police are you?" both of them turned to look at me, at the same time, which was rather creepy.

Their fake faces began to peel away, revealing not only the pale monsters known as Espada underneath but the massive amount of reitsu their gigai's had been smothering. Without a seconds hesitation I grabbed the door handle and flung myself out the car…

…at 60mph…

Yeah…

Great plan there…

I didn't feel it when I hit the tarmac, I also didn't feel it when I smashed off the barrier, I did however feel the suddenly weightlessness and floating sensation you got in your stomach as I flipped right over the side of the road, tumbling into the thick greenery surrounding the woods. The only thought passing through my mind was rather inappropriately that Yuzu could break espada's noses and I couldn't as I smashed off the first tree branch.

With a satisfying groan from the tree I finally ground to a halt, the handcuffs pretty much goo as I smashed out of them.

The car stopped on the road, with a heave I pulled myself off my stomach and into sitting position. Cursing myself for wearing a skirt. I mean…my legs were bad before but now they looked awful, with a flourish I removed the inhibitors, hissing slightly at the mess my body was in…I think I'd broken a rib…

Once the devices were off I focused, Gin's reitsu still innocently floating at the back of my mind, with gentle nudges I brought it to the focus of my mind, feeling the murderous energy spread itself through my body, I took a deep breath and slowly began to sew up my skin using reitsu.

I'd seen James do it. Once. When Grimmjow had accidently threw his zanpakuto across a room at him, how hard could it be?

"OW!" I yelped, as the skin rather haphazardly knitted back together, a pins and needles sensation running through my body, I watched in mild wonder as my cuts vanished, the blood remained obviously and I bitterly wished I was able to move in Hueco Mundo. This would have saved a lot of time…

"Where'd the brat go?" I jerked, glancing up at the road, sinking into the greenery as I healed over, a strange taste lurking in the back of my mouth.

"I don't know."

"You're tons of help, Aizen-sama is gonna roast us if we don't find her!" I held my breath, flipping Toushiro's phone open, groaning as the device pretty much fell apart. I guess plastic and high speed tarmac really don't mix…

With a quiet sigh, I flexed my aching muscles, noting how easily I could pass for a corpse bride cosplayer and jumped down out of the tree, remembering what Yoruichi taught me and bending my knees for the impact. With a thump I elegantly toppled over, pulling down several pieces of what felt like the Amazon rainforest down on top of me.

"Bugger"

Judging from the silence on the road my stealth move had sadly been heard. With a heave I got to my feet, focusing once again on the reitsu, building it up before sprinting off, defying all laws of karma as trees seemed to swerve out my way.

Ok. So, Aizen wasn't just going to let me off scott free…wonderful. I should have seen that coming but where on earth were-

"Karin!" I screeched to a halt, my hair looking as beautiful as a Pomeranian in a wind machine. I half stumbled forward in shock, a wide grin forming on my face.

"Tous-" I began, my eyes narrowing as I swung out the way of the surprise attack from behind me, the illusion disappearing completely as the real culprit made his way into the space I just vacated, leaping to the other side of the clearing I tensed up, desperately trying to keep my cool as my oh so marvellous 'owner' stepped into the light.

"Hello Karin"

"Aizen"

I guess Byakuya was right…

Aizen drew his sword.

I am so dead.

'Kurosaki-san?'

'Stop it!' I roared, making another wild lunge at the bastard, his whole body shifted, my heart froze mid beat, my body desperately trying to defy physics and turn me in mid-air, my mother's sweet face looking up at me as my reitsu eating power grew ever closer, with a snap of my fingers the energy exploded prematurely, sending me sprawling backwards, Masaki melting back into Aizen.

My body shuddered violently, my throat burning as I sucked in more air. My arms were almost shredded from the blast.

'She's lost a lot of blood…'

'Do you know what happens to my experiments when they die' the arse began, 'they die. No soul release. It's a defect of converting their reitsu based souls into power sources. When they die there's nothing to release…so they stay dead.' I felt a bit of a prat for not spotting that earlier…James had died…why hadn't his soul…

"You are a disappointment Kurosaki. I've decided to scrap you…and start again. Taking down Gin was a very stupid move…"

"Holy hell how is she still alive?"

The sword rammed straight through my chest, more blood than I thought possible raining down around me, my knee's buckled almost instantly as Toushiro's grinning face swam into my vision, with a flick of his wrist he withdrew his sword, I toppled forward into my own blood, spatters of rain just starting to fall from the sky.

'You humans are easy. Take the face of a loved one and you are powerless' Aizen's real form materialised; he sheathed his blade, turning to leave.

"You talk as if you aren't one…" I managed to croak, my body was cold…so cold…

"You talk as if you are"

"Kurosaki-san! We need to perform emergency Kido!"

'Face it Karin' he muttered, turning back to me and kneeling down, careful to avoid the blood, I couldn't feel my legs anymore…'you are about as human as an animal. You have no soul. It's been converted for power. What kind of human are you?'

"Karin! Baka! Hold on!"

"Where the hell is Toushiro?!"

"Ukitake took him to Soul society remember! He's under an enquiry!"

'Die alone Kurosaki. Just like the rest of the failures.'

"Ichi-nii…" I managed to breathe, feeling strong arms carrying faster than should be possible out the rain.

Toushiro.

"Come on Karin. You can do this. We're almost at Orihime's" his voice urged, sounding strained and broken.

"Ichi-nii…tell Toushiro…" was I crying? Did I have the strength left for something like that?

"No don't you dare! Don't you dare!" his voice finally cracked, the rain pounding heavily off both of us, blood and water swimming at his feet, we'd stopped moving, I could hear others dimly in the background.

"Tell him…I'm sorry…I broke his phone…"

Hurray for misleading chapter names!

Sorry for the slow update xD Christmas is just like WHOA in my household. We have a big family xD They all come down and it gets little crazy :)

Hope you enjoyed :D More soon :D